by Laboratory Design and Planning Experts at CRB
In 2024, we expect to see a transformative shift in laboratory design and construction, with a notable increase in the number of specialty labs tailored to cutting-edge fields, such as carbon capture and clean technology with nanotech. These highly specialized facilities are in response to the unprecedented technological advancements of the past few years.
Nanotech Robots- Mark Paskanik, AIA, Fellow, Lab Design and Strategy, CRB
Nanotech robot labs might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but they're becoming reality. For example, the CZ Biohub Chicago will develop engineering technologies to make precise, molecular-level measurements of biological processes within human tissues. This work will include embedding thousands of sensors and sampling probes into human tissues. With this technology, scientists will be able to monitor molecular and cellular signals in real time, revealing how disruptions in these processes lead to inflammation and disease. By monitoring tissues in real time, the researchers aim to steer the immune system away from the "tipping points" that lead to inflammatory disorders. The work promises to broadly enable new discoveries across all areas of medicine.
Labs like this will focus on specific functionalities for targeted applications such as drug delivery in medicine, environmental monitoring, or precise material assembly at the nanoscale—applications that go beyond the scope of many traditional labs.
One of the key areas our business has seen driving the popularity of nanotech robot labs is in medicine. Nanobots have the potential to revolutionize healthcare by delivering drugs to specific cells, performing minimally invasive surgeries, and conducting targeted diagnostics.
The growing interest and recognition of the potential of nanotech robot labs have attracted significant investments from both public and private sectors. Governments, research institutions, and tech companies are investing in these labs to drive innovation and secure a competitive edge.
Flexibility and Scalability- Bob McAllister, Director Business Operations STL, CRB
We’re anticipating the need for more stringent cleanroom classifications in labs. A cleanroom environment is essential to control factors such as airborne particles, temperature, humidity, and airflow, which can impact the purity and safety of nanoproducts.
Flexibility and scalability will also be major trends for 2024 lab construction. Advances in these technologies are moving quickly so instead of building traditional custom, stick-built labs, we’ll be building a lot of modular, flexible labs with prefabricated elements.
Lab owners looking to build in 2024 should be planning ahead for long lead items. Things like fume hoods and AHUs, which need to be more robust in cleanroom labs, often take 6 months or more to acquire.
Adaptability- Aaron Saggars, Fellow, Mechanical Engineering, Senior Project Engineer, CRB
Adaptability will be more important than ever in 2024. As these fields evolve, the supporting infrastructure in specialty labs must seamlessly flex alongside them. Whether it's accommodating a new nanotech hood within HVAC systems or addressing unforeseen heat gain from specialized research equipment, or even integrating on-demand compressed gas generators not initially part of the plan – our approach emphasizes preparing for the unexpected.
In many cases, lab owners don’t know what their future needs will be; it’s our responsibility to foresee and accommodate those needs proactively. When we plan for the unforeseen, companies can concentrate on their research without being hindered by spatial constraints.